Sweden expels Iran embassy employee, citing security concerns
Stockholm says Iran-backed groups are plotting against 'Jewish and Israeli interests' in the country.
Sweden has expelled an Iranian embassy employee and summoned the country’s ambassador, accusing Tehran of making threats against Jewish and Israeli interests in Sweden.
Sweden has asked an official at the Iranian embassy in Stockholm to leave the country over activities “not compatible with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations”, which sets rules for how countries deal with each other’s diplomats.
Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said the decision was taken to protect Swedish citizens and interests, without providing further details.
“We know that Iran, over a long period of time, has conducted activities that threaten security in and against Sweden, targeting both individuals who oppose the Iranian regime and various Jewish and Israeli interests in our country,” Strommer said, adding that Iran was “making use of criminal networks” to achieve its objectives.